The layout is the design of the paper, or how all the writing, pictures, puzzles, ads, etc. get put together onto pages, how we order the pages, and how we make all our work go together.
What to Include | Start with an iWork Pages Template | Use Text Boxes | Use the Ruler | Use the Inspector | Group and Align Objects | Parts of our Newspaper | Put it all Together

What to Include

The layout needs to include:

• a front page with a masthead, which shows the name, date, location and edition of the paper.
• a table of contents, list of staff members, and contact information, which we usually put on the back page, along with a staff photo.
• Each page in an edition of the paper will use the same header or footer throughout, which includes the name of the paper, the page number and the date.
• Writing, artwork, photos, and other projects will get grouped onto the same page or section.
• Typical sections include:
  • News, Features (interviews, seasonal stories, etc.), Comics, Puzzles, Science
  • We've also had special sections on topics like Harry Potter, Legos, Technology and more.

Start with an iWork Pages Template

We use iWork Pages '08 for our layout and have a template available to start from. Download this template and copy it to your USB drive.

Use Text Boxes

Always start your writing in a text box. This will make it easier to move around later.
Click the text box icon on the toolbar to insert a text box.
A text box looks like this. When you can see the little boxes in each corner, you can move or resize the text box.

Use the Ruler

Under the "View" menu, choose "Show Ruler"
Avoid the deadly trio of TAB-itis, SPACE-itis, and RETURN-itis! The ruler lets you choose how to indent each line or paragraph,

Use the Inspector

The Inspector lets you fine-tune everything on your page, from margins to columns, how text flows around images, the color, spacing and alignment of text, tabs, lines and borders, shadows, tables, graphs and more. Clicking the icons across the top takes you from one set of options to another: Document, Layout, Wrap, Text, Graphic, Metrics, Table, Chart, Link, and QuickTime.

Group and Align Objects

Your pages will look neater if you align your pictures and text boxes. You don't always have to do this, but you should think about the effect you want - sloppy/casual or neat/sophisticated.

1. You can select two or more pictures or text boxes by clicking the first, then holding shift while you click the other(s). Now you can align the two items, group them, or move them at the same time.
   
2. This picture and text box have been grouped so they stick together when you move them. Don't worry, the little squares and blue border will disappear when you're not working on them. Now you can align the two items however you'd like.
   

Parts of our Newspaper

• Masthead - the design on the top of the front page that has our newspaper's name and logo, and below that, the issue number, our location, and the date the issue is published.
• Issue Number - each school year, we give our issues a number in the order they're produced. We usually create three to four issues per year.
• Table of Contents -
• Header
• Footer
• Page Number
• Section
• Each story or piece has:
• Headline
• By-line

Put it all Together

more to come!